Suèvres

SUÈVRES, A VILLAGE WITH A PRESTIGIOUS PAST

Suèvres is a rural commune of 1,650 inhabitants, close to Blois and the Loire, covering an area of 3,665 ha, divided between villages and hamlets. Quiet and full of charm, this small town has a rich past, reflected in its rural and religious buildings, of which it still bears important witness.
Formerly known as Sodobrium, the Romans left numerous traces here, including Gallo-Roman thermal baths in a former wine-growing estate. Three churches date back to medieval times: Saint-Christophe, with its Merovingian western façade, is the oldest in the department; Saint-Lubin, in pure Romanesque style; and Saint-Martin, of which a few vestiges remain.
Old fortifications, houses and dovecotes also date from this period.
Six castles dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries bear witness to the interest shown by the nobility and bourgeoisie in this site, which was close to the royal court of Blois during the Renaissance.
The presence of small, clear rivers led to the construction of eighteen water mills, fifteen of which can still be seen today. One of them, the Moulin de Rochechouard, located in the center of town, has become a place for visits and exhibitions open to the public in summer.
We should also mention the epic battles between Reds and Whites that marked the commune at the end of the 19th century, and whose imprint can be seen on the village square known as Place de la mairie or Place de l'église according to some or others. Several washhouses, built at the same time, add to the village's appeal.
This is a land of winegrowing tradition, which for many centuries focused on quantity production. Traces of this dominant activity are still clearly visible, with several walled enclosures, imposing cellars, old wine presses and a dozen or so vineyard huts.
In the second half of the 20th century, Suèvres underwent a radical transformation of its agricultural landscape and society. The small plots of vines cultivated by hand by the winegrowers gave way to large areas of mechanized, intensive agriculture focused on cereals, oilseeds, grain carriers and green asparagus. Craftsmen and shopkeepers are spread throughout the town, some in a small artisanal zone, offering their services to the whole population.
Older families, both working-class and middle-class, are still present, welcoming new residents with their varied outdoor activities. The village's population is growing fast. It is animated by numerous dynamic associations.
Suèvres has entered the 21st century with a determination to keep up with the times, while preserving the remarkable heritage that makes it so charming.

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